First day of school.

It's been FOREVER since I've blogged & I'm not going to make any promises of a "summer recap" (for heaven's sake, I haven't even finished my Christmas Disney posts...) But, I thought I would at least throw out a few of these goodies for your entertaining pleasure...

My oldest started Kinder this month.  It just so happens that we get to go to the #1 elementary in our school district, she has one of the best teachers (so I hear) and it's like 5 feet away from our front door. Blessing, blessing, blessing.

First Day Eve:  an Open House / Meet the teacher / See where you sit / etc...

Drawing a picture of herself learning to ride a bike without training wheels for her teacher. 

Where she sits.  

First day:  (Kleenex box in hand)...

We captured every family combo imaginable:

Toes painted, braids in and giant (empty) backpack on.  Ready?  Go!  

Mother/daughty pedi's

Ms. C - always squatting down to be at eye-level with the kids.... 

Lining up just before a complete stranger Ms. C took her away from me us...  I was standing next to a very pregnant lady and we were both shedding tears.  To which she stated, "I'm pregnant (sniff, sniff) - what's your excuse (for all the tears)...?" 

It's my BABY - she'll now be in school the rest of her life...!  

Hair.

When Axey was a babe, he would constantly play with my (then) long hair while nursing, while I held him or laid with him.  He loved playing with hair.  When he found his own - JACKPOT!  It was such a comfort to him...  That's why I love seeing him wake up with this hair.  I think it's so cute that at age 3 he still plays with his little patch up top while he sleeps.

And note this sweet shirt that was passed down... Definitely one of my favs (sniff, sniff).  I just passed on a matching one to a guy that works with J that has a son this age too.  Seems fitting to keep them in ff families... 

Gas Works.

Their dad's working today & this mom's tired of the same 'ol parks... So, I loaded-up the kids & we spent some quality time together at Gas Works.  We had a hoot exploring, checking out the city views & running around.  I love my kids.  & this city.

Tea time.

I have some sickies.  We've had a chill few days filled with massive amounts of cuddling, eating healthy, & kleenex boxes.

Today they tried some Throat Coat tea with honey.  Can't say that they loved it but, they drank it & off to bed they skipped.

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Happy Birthday to an amazing mother & grandmother to my kids.  She's always available to talk, babysit or invite us for a meal on just the evening I don't want to cook.

We had a little celebration for her at my brother's house.  Sadly, 2 of the 7 grandkids couldn't make it (they are represented on L's lap).  

Love you mom!!!

Happy half!

My girl's officially 4 1/2.  We had a wonderful day filled with a music class, car wash (which my kids love), tuna melts (L's choice), ballet, & dinner / movie night with cousins.

She continues to fill my heart with such joy & pride.  She grows closer & closer to the Lord each day, cares deeply for her brother, has patiences with her inpatient parents & is as creative as they come.

Love you, sweet girl!

Growth Chart.

I finally found a place in our house to start a growth chart.  But, I'm in serious need of some cute ideas.  I'd like to transfer this info onto a portable growth chart incase I want to move it around in the house. I'm thinking of making this.  However, I want to be able to write-on their names (not pin/nail anything to the board...) So, I'm not sure what I'd write with to help it show.  To be continued... 

Love you, mean it.

L thinks she's hilarious closing her eyes for pics... 

Adorbs.  

U Village.

I realize that there is a portion of this population that doesn't like U Village.  I respect that.  It's expensive & has that yuppy feel to it.  However, it's lovely.  It just is.  I rather shop there than anywhere else in the Seattle area, any day.  L & I snuck away for a little date to wander the open halls.

My life.

I love getting home from work in time to greet these warm bodies as they wake-up from naps... even before the first smile shines though. 

School.

I stumbled upon this cute classroom & could hardly contain my smile.  

Happy half!

Axey is officially 2 1/2!  Happy half to my favorite boy!!!  He has been such a wonderful addition to our family.  I never dreamed of having such a sweet, cuddly, big, squishy, creative, lovable little guy.  Every time we pick him up from Sunday-school we hear the same thing, "he is such a cuddly kid, he's so sweet."  We love you Axel Benj!

Mum's Day.

Happy Mother's, Mama's & Mum's Day!

We had a wonderful sunny day together.  Church, a beach cafe, planted another blueberry bush, napped, B family gathering, O family gathering, park, sunset, done.

So much to love about this pic:  Boys are checked-out, girls are dollies, Laila's mismatched shoes, Inger's flips on wrong, Ellanor looks like her mom.  

B 5 waiting for the train.  

Happy Mother's Day, indeed.  

Our son.

Our car has been on auto-pilot to Seattle Children's Hospital.  What started out as a slight barky cough, quickly turned into severe croup, (striders with him barely able to breath), & me frantically calling family & 911 at 11:30pm (as I was home alone with the kids...) Unfortunately, this reaction to croup has become all too common for our little guy.

When I hear other friends tell me that their child has/had croup I assume they had to call 911 too.  "Oh did the medics get there quickly?"  I never realized that most croup isn't serious and is treatable from home.  Sounds blissful.  Axel has now been at Children's (in & out) 4 out of the last 4 days.  He knows to stick out his finger on his own when he sees the O2 Sat machine pulled into the room & he knows to freak when the nebulizer mask is brought in... This little guy has been through a lot & we are happy to report he's on the road to recovery.

Trying to get some rest...

He's been such a trooper from the ride in the Aid Car the first night, to going through all the treatments.  As usual, he's melted the hearts of every nurse & doctor, & waves at other cutie-pie patients as he passes them in the hall.

We were bummed to miss out on Easter service & celebrations & are now praying he's well for his 2nd birthday.  So many of you have been covering us in prayers.  That has truly been the only thing holding me together the last few days.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love & prayers.

Our most recent trip to the hospital revealed that he's now recovered from croup, but has bronchiolitis & a small area of his lung is collapsed.  We are completely believing in Jesus for speedy healing in his body.

Where's Waldo?  What a blessing to have such a great view of the construction site for this typical boy!  (Every day the construction workers move around a Waldo mannequin for the kids to find. ) 

Thanks again for your love, prayers & support.

Happy birthdays!

Happy Birthday Jason (today)!  Thank you for your leadership in our family, for your humor, for your love, for your generosity, for your strong work ethic, & for your strong arms.  We adore you & think you're simply remarkable!  

Happy half to our little man (tomorrow).  This boy has completely filled our lives with chuckles, snuggles, wet kisses, "MAAA!", inside jokes (seriously - he's 18 mos & we already have a handful of jokes that only he & I get...he's totally brill.), he's toned our muscles, & is such a helper around the house.  No one can work a fitted T like he can.  We love you Axel Benj!  

                                                                                     *photo taken by Yuen Lui Studios

Colorado whirlwind.

It's been exactly 10 years since I moved back to the NW from ColoRADo. So, when we were given the opportunity to attend the International Association of Firefighters, Fallen FF Memorial in Colorado Springs - we packed up the fam & headed to the Rockies.  There were a handful of things I had to do/see with my family by my side:

Denver:
  Red Rocks Amphitheater
  Colorado Christian University
  eat at Beau Jo's
  Drive up I-70 into the foothills
  cruise through downtown

Boulder:
  a stroll on Pearl Street

Colorado Springs:
  Garden of the God's
  Drive up Pike's Peak
  Manitou Springs

The kids were AMAZING travelers.  We were able to see everything plus squeeze in a full day at the Denver Zoo, hang out with the Tiemann family, & see Lo Lo, (on top of everything related to the Memorial).  Whirlwind indeed.

DENVER - CCU:

Taking a stroll through campus (my apt my first yr is across pond...)

Relaxing in the shade of an aspen.  

Red Rocks:

That's J, Lai & A on the stage... (a stage I once came & studied on at midnight with some candles & friends in college).  Little do they know the amazing artists that have stood there...

Playing after such a long day of travel.  The elevation didn't effect them at all... 

We then snuck in Beau Jo's & quality time with Holly's fam before hitting the zoo the next day.  (Check out the Beau Jo's link to see how to honey your pizza crust.)

Holly & Axel, 2 of my fav's... 

BOULDER:  

Aaaaaaaaaand, crossed another Diner's, Drive-In's & Dives hot spot off our list:  Foolish Craig's.  Amaaaazing crepes (singing "amazing")!  

Good 'ol Pearl Street - sadly we didn't see Zip Code Man.  

COLORADO SPRINGS:

We arrived in the Springs along with a huge rain storm.  But, that didn't stop us from visiting the site of Saturday's memorial.  

Jeffery Allen Birt   WA 27

Some Seattle Honor Guard with J & Lai 

The 343 on the 9/11 wall. 

Laurel drove up to see us for a super quick visit.  It was so great of you, Lo to come all that way!!!
We love you & miss you!  

On Friday night Jack Quinn's was the place to be.  Great conversation, drinks, T-shirts
& the Seattle Pipes & Drums played for a packed house.  Here are some of Jeff's crew that RV'd down.  

Up next?  Garden of the God's:

I've been here many, many times & I still can't get over the beauty of this national treasure.  

The snow/cloud covered peak in the back is Pike's.

Kissing camels.

The Ceremony:

Air Force Choir

Tom with Jeff's flag (center)

Melissa being presented the flag.  

Jesse Youngs' widow being presented a flag.  Next to her (seated) is another Seattle widow from last year.
It was an honor getting to meet both of these amazing ladies.  

Jeff's crew.  

3, 000 seats & still standing room only.

Seattle families with SFD Honor Guard & Chiefs

Pipe's & Drums with the 3.

My kids & I with an United Airlines pilot super handsome guy.  

We ended the evening with a fabulous dinner  (at which time Axel may or may not have wandered off without me even knowing & was returned by strangers) & watching Pipes & Drums play the streets of COS.   

Pike's Peak:

I've summited a handful of Colorado's fourteener's (14,000 ft mts) in my day by foot & have driven up one (Evan's).  On a whim, we drove up Pike's before heading for the airport.  We obviously were not prepared for snow but, threw caution to the wind & had a great time.

View on the drive up to "America's Mountain"

Dream come true - family by my side on a 14er!!! 

View from the top

Drive down - many scenic stops... How's your aspen?  

Farewell Colorado.  Thank you for the memories!